Los Angeles Lakers’ Nick Young happy to be at home with summer camp

Nick Young of the Los Angeles Lakers signs autographs during the Nick Young Youth Summer Basketball Camp at Sierra Canyon High School in Chatsworth, CA July 18, 2014.(Andy Holzman/Los Angeles Daily News)

LeBron James is going home. Nick Young is staying at home.

The former Cleveland High and USC standout, who has reached agreement on a four-year, $21.5 million deal that will keep the 6-foot-7 forward in a Lakers uniform, couldn’t be happier as he wrapped up the second session of his summer basketball camp at Sierra Canyon this week.

“I am so happy to be here. This is home for me,” Young said. “It feels good they made me a priority.”

With his first long-term deal secured, Young relaxed at camp.

In addition to learning drills, going through stations and comprehending basketball concepts, approximately 60 youngsters took pictures, played one-on-one and participated in games with Young, the self-proclaimed “Big Kid.”

“I love doing this camp,” he said. “I love to see the smiles on the kid’s faces and bring some joy to these kids. It’s a real fun time for them and me, too. I do this all for the kids.

“I never had a chance to meet an NBA player when I was a kid. I truly believe it’s about giving back in some fashion. This is a great way for me to do it.”

Michael Moss, an incoming freshman at Malibu High, said he had a great time.

“We learned a lot from the counselors and being able to see Nick Young was great,” Moss said. “Nick made everything real fun. It was great when he played against each camper. I definitely had a good time and think I got better as a player.”

Young’s popularity has soared after just one season with the Lakers. He averaged a team-high 17.9 points a game.

Young’s “Swaggy P” persona and relationship with singer Iggy Azalea has thrust him into the Hollywood spotlight.

The extra publicity has helped the camp grow.

“I think coming back home to L.A. has been a huge lift,” Young said. “The numbers get bigger each year and we are reaching more kids. The fans really know me more that I am in L.A.. This is my backyard.”

Young said the camp has been great since its inception back in 2009 when he was playing for the Washington Wizards, but is even better now that he is in Southern California full time.

“When you are an L.A. Laker, you get national attention,” Young said. “It’s like rock stars of the NBA. I am able to get in my car and drive right up to the camp. I don’t have to worry about flights and getting there.”

Young attended Wednesday’s ESPY awards and had a photo shoot another day, but he made sure he started the camp off right Monday with individual pictures and finished Friday with autographs and giveaways.

“My time has been tight a little bit more, but I have to come out here for the kids at camp,” Young said. “They deserve it. They support me. I have to support them.”

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With his immediate future secured, Young said he is at peace.

“I was talking to my mom the other day and we were thinking about the past seven years,” Young said. “I was always trying to prove myself. I still will continue to get better. It’s nice I’m at home; the Lakers wanted to keep me and I feel like a priority.”

Young also indicated the camp will remain a summer priority.

“The camp is one of my highlights in the summer,” Young said. “It will keep going on as long as the kids want the camp. I am happy to do it.”